Abstract 13123: Sex-Specific Associations Between Hypertension in the Early Forties and Arterial Stiffness 27 Years Later: The Hordaland Health Study

Abstract

Background: Hypertension is associated with arterial stiffening. Less is known about sex-specific associations of hypertension in the early forties with increased arterial stiffness later in life. Methods: BP was measured in 1121 women and 932 men at mean age 42 years (baseline). Participants were grouped into normotension (BP<130/80 mmHg), stage 1 hypertension (BP 130-139/80-89 mmHg) and stage 2 hypertension (BP≥140/90 mmHg). Arterial stiffness was measured by pulse wave velocity (PWV) after 27 years follow-up. Increased arterial stiffness was defined as PWV>10m/s in both sexes. Associations between baseline BP categories and increased arterial stiffness were tested in logistic regression analyses and presented as odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). Results: At baseline, a larger proportion of men than women had stage 1 and stage 2 hypertension (330 men (35%) and 266 women (24%) with stage 1 and 241 men (26%) and 105 women (9%) with stage 2 hypertension, p<0.001 for sex difference). At follow-up, 289 men (31%) and 197 women (18%) had increased arterial stiffness (p<0.01). In univariable analysis in women, stage 1 (OR 2.44, 95 % CI 1.72-3.47) and stage 2 hypertension (OR 3.34, 95% CI 2.10-5.31) were associated with increased arterial stiffness. After adjustments for baseline body mass index, smoking, heart rate, serum cholesterol and education, stage 1 (OR 2.19, 95% CI 1.52-3.15) and stage 2 hypertension (OR 2.74, 95% CI 1.67-4.48) remained associated with increased arterial stiffness in women. In univariable analyses in men, stage 1 (OR 1.55, 95% CI 1.11-2.16) and stage 2 hypertension (OR 1.88, 95% CI 1.32-2.68) were associated with increased arterial stiffness. After similar multivariable adjustments, these associations became non-significant in men (OR 1.34, 95% CI 0.95-1.89 for stage 1 and OR 1.40, 95% CI 0.95-2.06 for stage 2 hypertension, respectively). This sex difference was confirmed by a significant test for interaction (p=0.03). Conclusion: In the Hordaland Health Study, having stage 1 and stage 2 hypertension in the early forties predicted increased arterial stiffness in women, but not in men.